Downtown Burbank

FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT DOWNTOWN BURBANK

Rape suspect to appear in court Monday DOWNTOWN BURBANK -- A 41-year-old Burbank man is scheduled to appear in court Monday on a charge of raping a 14-year-old girl. John Armendariz was arrested Thursday near his home in the 200 block of Mariposa Street after the victim provided a nickname, "Tristen" for the man who assaulted her, said Burbank Police spokesman Sgt. Jay Jette. He is being held on $335,000 bail. Armendariz uses "Tristen" as a stage name, police said.

Two incumbents seek reelection DOWNTOWN BURBANK -- Mayor Marsha Ramos and Councilman David Golonski have pulled petitions to run for office again in the spring elections. Golonski has served on the council for almost 12 years and has been mayor twice. Ramos is serving her first term on the council and has been mayor since May. She is a managing partner for the Glendale-based firm Geosystems Inc., which provides geotechnical consulting. The third incumbent running for reelection is Councilwoman Stacey Murphy.

BID board applications available CIVIC CENTER -- The city clerk's office is accepting applications through Thursday for candidates for a board to run a new property-based business improvement district for downtown Burbank. A business improvement district is grouping of merchants who join together through assessment fees to pay for improvements in their neighborhood. The board would be responsible for carrying out the goals of a five-year district plan, including a signage program and marketing and promotions.

Skaters flocked to downtown Burbank this week for the grand opening of a temporary ice rink , which is slated to be open through early January. “This is like Rockefeller Center now,” said Burbank resident Masiss Andriasian, just after he picked up a flier with details on the rink's hours Friday afternoon. Andriasian planned to take his two sons and daughter skating Friday evening. “This is real - you can't play this with a remote control,” Andriasian said. For 10-year-old Kyron Mirzakhanian, who often skates at Pickwick Ice in Burbank, the rink was a neat opportunity to skate outdoors.

TRAFFIC ORDINANCE The council voted to extend an ordinance that requires all non-residential projects that would generate 50 or more cars during the morning and evening peak traffic hours to go through a discretionary review process and requires a planning board public hearing. The ordinance was adopted in 2006 for a one-year period to ensure that projects with potential traffic impacts would be subject to environmental review and traffic analysis. In 2007, the ordinance was extended till July 31, 2008.

Burbank Emblem Club presents scholarships Burbank Emblem Club #86 members honored Phyllis Langlois, president of the Emblem Club's California, Nevada, Hawaii State Assn.; Geri Miller, state marshal; and 10 other state officers at the Burbank Elks Lodge. Scholarships were awarded to local high school students, Joanna Tripet-Diel, Ashley Christina McClendon and Lindsey Hoffman Fuglsby, who received the "Arta Dayton" scholarship. Lindsey is the granddaughter of Burbank Emblem Club past president Mary Hoffman.

Restaurant closing downtown location after lease could not be worked out with building owner.DOWNTOWN BURBANK -- Unable to work out a new lease agreement with the building owner, the popular restaurant Tony Roma's is due to shutter its Downtown Burbank location today. The ribs, steak and seafood eatery has been in downtown for more than 10 years in a space that used to be a shoe store. "It's unfortunate the lease came to an end," said Marc Buehler, vice president of marketing for Tony Roma's.

TODAY Once Upon A Page , a scrapbooking/paper crafting store is celebrating 11 years in business with a workshop from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the store, 2800 W. Burbank Blvd., Burbank. There will be games, raffles, prizes, food and sales on paper products. Reservations are required. Prizes for the first 20 customers, the first customer in line and more. For more information, visit www.onceuponapage.com. ? Dark Delicacies will host a signing for urban fantasy author Kat Richardson at 2 p.m. at 4213 W. Burbank Blvd.

Creative Arts Center has holiday boutique MAGNOLIA PARK -- The Creative Arts Center is hosting its 2004 Holiday Boutique starting at 10 a.m. today and will remain open through Dec. 16 during normal business hours. The center is at 1100 W. Clark Ave., Burbank. For more information, call 238-5397. Santa featured guest at Burbank breakfast MEDIA DISTRICT NORTH -- Santa Claus will be the featured guest at the Burbank High Vocal Music Assn.'s second annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the Burbank High School cafeteria, 902 N. Third St., Burbank.